Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-01-29
Plymouth Rock Fowl.
Written by ReQuest.l

of our Peninsula. 1t seems very peril
nent that this industry should be fos-
tered and encouraged by all means as far
as is possible in every practical and eX-
detrimental way. No reader of the In
TERpRIsE would believe the amount of
money returned to this county yearly
for eggs shipped by rail;and by boats.
tits incredible; yet this amount could
be almost Quadrupled and the actual ex-
pense not felt by our farmers. 1 do not
propose to discuss this topic but ask fol
sufficient space in your valuable paper
to state some facts In regard to the Ply
mouth Rock breed, which is justly very
popular in our farm yards.
Seven years ago this bird which is now
so strong, Hearty, and good egg-pro-
Queer in wintcr-superior to any of the
Asiatic breeds in thtsa respects for our
climate-was puny, sickly bird Of
cranky habits. But hy judicious ma
tings the breed has been worked up to
what we now see it. l remark here
that there is nothing more important in
raising poultry than the proper mating
of the birds in the yard. for mistake
in this respect is sure 10 give an infer-
ior class of sickly chicks and generally
feeble stock.
For the benefit of those who have
plymouth Rcck stock and who have
asked as to their stock and Qnalilica.
tions, will givet hem the benefit Of the
american Standard of Excellence. y
so that they may with lawil hand judge
their OWL stock.
The American Poultry Association IN
annual session ut Worcester, Mass, in
1883, adopted certain specific qualities
lions which every breed of fowl must
possess in order to i've recognized in
America rs distinct and Standard VA.
riety. This book will be revised this
summer, and many changes OF interest
are expected to be made.
The thoroughbred Plymouth Rock rs
he stands now on both sides of The
ocean, The Standard SAYS, must be e1'
enpt from the following disQualilica.
lions. viz: Feathered legs. color OF
legs other than yellow. enamelled white
in earlobes Topped combs crooked backs,
WHY tails, crossed or twisted beaks,
splashes of white and black III plumage,
except in wing primaries and tails, red
or brassy feathers in any part of the
plumage, twisted feathers i'll wings or
tails.
Standard weights-Cock 81 pounds,
cockerel Spounds, hen pounds, pullet
g. pounds.
/ or any lack in the above weights
two points per pounds must be always
deducted.
Again, that all poultry judges on the
Plymouth Rock breed should be gov
erned by the following scale fpoints:--
Weight 10, symmetry 10, condition S,
head I, comb S, wattles and earlobes S,
neck S, back 6, breast and body 10,wings
6, tail 6, fluff 6, legs and toes 7;total 100.
Body must be colored, grayish white,
each feather regularly crossed with bars
of blue black, hence plumage Is Of a
blush tinge. This color should be same
shade all over the body.
Head carried well up and of medium
size. Beak regularly curved, short,
stont and yellow. Eyes bay large, clear
and bright.
Comb, bright req; single, rather small,
perfectly upright and straight, we'll de-
fined serrations and free from sprigs.
Wattles bright red, medium size and
rounded. Earlobes bright
red and medium size.
Neck medium length, well arched
tapering, with abundant .hackle.
Back broad, tolerable long with plenty
saddle feathers.
Breast broad, deep and full, straight
breastbtne.
Body broad, deep,full compact wings,
size medium folded well against the
body. Wing bows and points we'll COW
eIed by breast and saddle feathers. Tail
comparatively small, rather short feath-
ers somewhat expanded and carried toll
erably upright.
Sickle feathers and tail coverts well
curved. Fluff moderately full.
Legs and toes thighs large and strong,
and well covered with soft feathers.
Sharks of m edium length, stout in bone,
well apart, yellow in color. Toes
straight and strong, medium length, well
spread and yellow in color.
These are about the requisite quallfi-
cations of the standard male Plymouth
Rock as admitted III show pens by the
American Poultry Association. Will
give the Wyandotte qualifications in
next issue. and l would be pleased to
hear from Keller" to know how the
Kentucky birds recently receiveli?) at
that place. score under the requirements
of American Standard of Excellence.
Respectfully.
G. &. JoYNEs.